Qualifications

Techniques > Resisting persuasion > Qualifications

Method | Example | Discussion | See also

Method

Show that you are more qualified than the other person. Drop into the conversation that you have an academic degree, a masters or Ph.D. Indicate professional qualifications and membership of august bodies.

This is particularly useful when the other person is playing expert or seeking to establish their academic superiority over you.

An alternative if the other person has high qualifications and you do not is to play the experience card, rubbishing their status as 'not in the real world' or 'only theory'.

Example

Yes, I did an MBA too! I found it particularly helpful for strategic analysis. Mintzberg was my favorite author in this subject -- what was yours?

I was lecturing at the Institute last night. I'll mention to the chairman that you are a member.

Those are impressive qualifications -- but what have you done?

Discussion

When people start boasting about their qualifications, they are seeking to build an unquestionable position above you. Countering this with an equal or superior qualification neutralizes or reverses their ploy. Their attention to qualifications also tells you that they are probably easily impressed by academics -- a factor you can use to your advantage.